OFF A CHAIR
Betty, over at Wiens World, had a funny story this morning about a birthday party she attended for a friend. Her post triggered a memory I thought I’d share with you.
Five years ago, just when I was pushing 60, the ladies of our auxiliary were checking out which drapes would look best in the guest room we were furnishing at the nursing home. The chairman's wife was already on the table when I got there. She was holding up one side of the drapes against the window. Because the other two ladies were older, I decided that it best be me getting on a chair and holding up the other end of the drapes.
We were having a great time – deciding between this pair or that pair. Laughing, joking, poking fun! Back and forth it went – wow, this one looks nice, but let me see that pair again! When we had finally decided on which pair looked the best, the one we would recommend to the group to purchase, I turned to get off the chair. It had been an easy thing to get on, but I somehow lost my footing in the turning around to face forward and went flying, hitting my knee and elbow with full force on the concrete floor.
My dignity lost, more embarrassed than cautious, I got up and with each step wobbled and winced as I tried to get back to my office – 3 long hallways away. A kind nurse saw me half way down the first hall and brought me a wheelchair. I can’t recall the exact order of the events that followed. My brain must have been jolted too! Suffice it to say that I busted the cartilage in my knee, had surgery several weeks later to remove 2/3rds of the cartilage, had intense physiotherapy and was allowed back at work only after 3 months.
Why, oh why, did I not do the safe thing and get the stepladder! As a manager, I always stressed and modeled safety, but this time because the chairman’s wife was already on the table I thought, oh well, I can use the chair! I have no one to blame but myself! To this day I have pain! I can’t walk long distances without pain like I used to. And standing in one spot for any length of time is no fun. But thankfully I can do all my daily living!
The other week we had an electrical short in our building’s elevator, which caused the fire bells to go off. I walked down and later back up 9 flights of stairs to comply with fire regulations. I can do it, but the pain in my knee will always be a reminder of this incident.
Do you have things in your life you wish you could undo?
Five years ago, just when I was pushing 60, the ladies of our auxiliary were checking out which drapes would look best in the guest room we were furnishing at the nursing home. The chairman's wife was already on the table when I got there. She was holding up one side of the drapes against the window. Because the other two ladies were older, I decided that it best be me getting on a chair and holding up the other end of the drapes.
We were having a great time – deciding between this pair or that pair. Laughing, joking, poking fun! Back and forth it went – wow, this one looks nice, but let me see that pair again! When we had finally decided on which pair looked the best, the one we would recommend to the group to purchase, I turned to get off the chair. It had been an easy thing to get on, but I somehow lost my footing in the turning around to face forward and went flying, hitting my knee and elbow with full force on the concrete floor.
My dignity lost, more embarrassed than cautious, I got up and with each step wobbled and winced as I tried to get back to my office – 3 long hallways away. A kind nurse saw me half way down the first hall and brought me a wheelchair. I can’t recall the exact order of the events that followed. My brain must have been jolted too! Suffice it to say that I busted the cartilage in my knee, had surgery several weeks later to remove 2/3rds of the cartilage, had intense physiotherapy and was allowed back at work only after 3 months.
Why, oh why, did I not do the safe thing and get the stepladder! As a manager, I always stressed and modeled safety, but this time because the chairman’s wife was already on the table I thought, oh well, I can use the chair! I have no one to blame but myself! To this day I have pain! I can’t walk long distances without pain like I used to. And standing in one spot for any length of time is no fun. But thankfully I can do all my daily living!
The other week we had an electrical short in our building’s elevator, which caused the fire bells to go off. I walked down and later back up 9 flights of stairs to comply with fire regulations. I can do it, but the pain in my knee will always be a reminder of this incident.
Do you have things in your life you wish you could undo?
Comments
Blessings,Ruth
What I would undo? Can´t think of anything at the moment. I guess that´s good.
Hugs,
Betsy
I'm sorry you were injured. I endure painful feet from broken bones that happened from a clumsy fall down steps years ago. I think that my guardian angel gets paid overtime because I'm so clumsy. :)